I scroll down further. There’s a courtesy addendum beneath the response. Unprompted. Almost kind.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
“Sovereign-level operations.” That phrase wasn’t in my query. The system answered a question I hadn’t evenformed yet.
I close the message.
Around me, the Spire continues like clockwork. Guests come and go. Staff bow. Naked humans are led past my desk without looking up.
Whatever happened in those twelve minutes mattered enough to be removed.
I stand very still at my desk for a second. Then, I decide that moving forward, I won’t ask the systemrealquestions again, or challenge what I’m shown. But I willlisten for answers that come too quickly, and I’ll remember explanations I never asked for.
Silence counts.
The summons comes at the Third Chime.
I knew it would come today, and I have mixed emotions that it’s here now.
Without a word, I approach Lira in between guests and show her the new scheduling on my IC:
Lira stares at the directive, and her grey lips part in shock. “This has to be a mistake. I can’t imagine you doing anything that would warrant a punishment.”
I shake my head. “It’s not a mistake.”
“What did you do?”
“Sovereign Lorian gave me a choice. And I chose the wrong thing.”
Lira’s green eyes widen. “Goddesses, Eve. I’m so sorry. The only thing you can do now is to endure it and be grateful it’s not public. Good luck.” She squeezes my hand. “I will check in on you later and take you to Dr. Veil myselfif you require it.”
I nod, then turn and begin walking toward the elevator that will take me down to the shrine. I clutch my ID pendant like a rosary, whispering under my breath, “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.”
The corridors are bright, reminding us all it’s the Third Chime. It seems so wrong that I’m walking to my punishment at such an upbeat time of day, surrounded by a clean citrus smell. But I guess even on beautiful sunny days, executions still happen. I cross myself. “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.” The words softly leave my lips in a whisper, half remembered from childhood, half choked by fear.Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners…
I can’t even finish. Because that’s what I am now. A sinner. Not just in their eyes, but in mine too. I begged faceless holograms to fuck me. I let them gag me with my own underwear. I spread my legs for shadows instead of resisting.
And the Sovereigns know everything.
Please, God, let me live through this.
The guards outside the shrine don’t even speak. They register my ID and open the doors. The air is cooler, and gone is the bright atmosphere of the Third Chime above. Down here, time is constant; it’s dark, and incense burns low in braziers. Twelve pedestals circle the space, each bearing the shimmering holographic form of a goddess. The silver floor glows with the Empire’s crest. I remember kneeling here yesterday for Lorian alone. Now, both of them are here. Identical alien twins. But only identical in their appearances.
Rafe stands rigid, arms behind his back, and his face is unreadable. Lorian leans against a pedestal, loose hair falling across his shoulders, and he has a hint of a smile on his face.
I have the feeling that they are going to enjoy disciplining their sex-crazed human employee.
Jesus, take the wheel.
When I bow low, I’m reminded of the wretched state of my body. My thighs ache from what happened last night, my pussy is still sore fromthose holographic dicks, and my body is still woefully unsatisfied. And the Sovereigns know. They have readouts on every part of me, inside and out.
Sovereign Rafe speaks first. “Rise and face us. You enjoyed yourself last night, Eve. Thought that you could trick us.”
Before I can say anything in my defense, Sovereign Lorian adds, “I knew you would give in to the temptation, and I wasn’t surprised by what you chose. I’ve looked through the kinds of books you like to read. You want to be dominated by big men, like us.”
I don’t know why I’m so embarrassed by Lorian’s words, but I am. Hearing my fantasies spoken out loud by a man who I also wish would fuck me with his brother is both a humiliation and, if I’m being honest, a turn-on.
Maybe this is a turn-on for them too?
